FOR many people running a long distance race, once is a big enough challenge.

But for seven runners lining up at the start of the Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running it will be their 30th time.

The group, who race organisers have dubbed the "ever present runners" have run either the marathon or half marathon every year since the race began.

Bernard Jarvis, 65, from Lady Bay, has run the full marathon every time.

He said: "I've run London some years and New York but the Robin Hood is a good race. It's the best of the races without an immense budget.

"I still enjoy it, but the worst part is around Holme Pierrepont when you are looking at Colwick oil depot."

Barbara Rose, 57, a retired special needs teacher from Mansfield, is determined to complete this year's half marathon despite a painful knee problem.

"I will do it. You don't get many chances in life to do something like this and I can't do 29 and not do 30.

"I'm raising money for John Eastwood Hospice and I'll get to the end."

She added the event had changed over the years.

She said: "It's a lot more professional and more organised now. The atmosphere really is very special, especially if you have lived in Notts all your life."

Ken Allen, 63, a volunteer from Mansfield, said: "It's always a brilliant day and a great event to be involved in. I've done six full and 23 half.

"I'm aiming to do the half marathon in 1:30, but it might be 1:35. My fastest times were 1:16:42 for the half and 2:51:32 for the full."

The group have been given free race entry to mark the event's 30th birthday and New Balance have supplied them with running kit.

Bob Hoad, 69, from Clifton, who has run every half marathon enjoys the stretch through Wollaton Park.

He said: "I like the last mile as well of course."

Mr Hoad has had prostrate cancer since 2002 and will undergo tests shortly after the race to see if he needs treatment.

He said: "It hasn't affected my training. I'm running five out of seven days. I'm doing just over five miles and stepping that up to eight and then ten. I never do the full distance before the day."

He entered the first race as a challenge and ran it in 1:31.

Chris Cudworth, 51, from Mansfield, said: "It's brilliant, I'm still doing it so it's got to be good hasn't it? I start at the back and still pass a lot of them.

"How you feel on the day can matter more than how much training you do."

The other two runners taking part in their 30th race are Mark Jackson, 49, from Carlton, and Neil Davenport, from Wilford village.

Claire Bond, assistant race director, said: "It's been fantastic to meet some of our ever present runners.

"Their commitment to running and the Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running is something to behold.

"We hope that Bernard, Chris, Barbara, Ken, Mark, Bob and Neil continue to support the event year on year and show everyone around them that running really can be great fun."

Places are still available to run on September 14.

Visit www.experianfestivalofrunning.co.uk to sign up.